COVID and the Kremlin: A Conversation with Sergei Guriev

Summary: Why is the Kremlin holding back on a major economic rescue package for its hard-hit economy? So far, the Putin regime has relied primarily on a decidedly modest set of targeted economic measures that fall far short of the tools utilized by the world’s major economies.

Why is the Kremlin holding back on a major economic rescue package for its hard-hit economy? So far, the Putin regime has relied primarily on a decidedly modest set of targeted economic measures that fall far short of the tools utilized by the world’s major economies. Sergei Guriev, a professor at Sciences Po and the former chief economist at the EBRD, and a group of leading Russian economists recently proposed a more ambitious set of initiatives, including direct payments to all Russian citizens and more aggressive use of the country's massive reserves.

Please join Sergei Guriev for a virtual discussion on the impact of the coronavirus on the Russian economy and the package of emergency measures proposed by the expert group convened by the Liberal Mission Foundation.

Sergei Guriev

Sergei Guriev is a professor of economics at Sciences Po in Paris. From 2016-2019 he served as chief economist of the European Bank for Reconstructions and Development.

Andrew S. Weiss

Andrew S. Weiss is the James Family Chair and vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

End of document

About the Russia and Eurasia Program

The Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Program has, since the end of the Cold War, led the field of Eurasian security, including strategic nuclear weapons and nonproliferation, development, economic and social issues, governance, and the rule of law.